Human Resources committee  Thank you. I'd like to talk about retargeting, because we're getting lost in the rhetoric. One of the issues is that the cuts have been made because programs are ineffective. Based on what? I didn't see any information about these programs that have determined they're ineffective.

Human Resources committee  You can say it's a specific budget, because it's project funding.

Human Resources committee  The major thing we have lost is family literacy. We've done research and policy development in this important area, and now it's off the table. We will not be able to do anything more around family literacy.

Human Resources committee  I can only anticipate. It's all project funding, so nothing is ever for sure. I would say it's about $250,000.

Human Resources committee  Potential money.

Human Resources committee  Are you asking whether the delay caused hardships to programs?

Human Resources committee  I don't think so. Traditionally, the literacy field has had only had three weeks to prepare these applications. This year, between August and the September 15 deadline, we actually had more time. The problem is that we never know when these calls are going to come out. They continue to be delayed.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for that question. There are a few things. It's very easy to get caught up in the idea that literacy classes will not be cut, but what will be cut is the entire infrastructure that supports a literacy program. Let me give you an example that may be closer to home here, in terms of running a government.

Human Resources committee  Just to go back, the call for proposals was severely delayed. It usually should come out in early January. The call did not come out until August, and at that time the deadline was September 15. People took a lot of time—talk about accountability—and used a lot of resources to write those proposals and submit them, and a week later they were told those proposals were not going to be even considered.

Human Resources committee  In terms of the literacy field, it impacts about half the budget that they're working with. Another important thing to note, too, is that there is a policy change here that has tremendous impact, because the federal government will only fund those programs with a national interest.

Human Resources committee  Okay, thank you.

Human Resources committee  Literacy is defined as the different ways that people use information in their lives, their workplaces, and their communities. Today, 42% of Canadians have challenges with literacy. Four out of every 10 citizens have some difficulty taking in and using written information and math in their everyday lives.